So with 2 game 7s on the horizon, PHX/DET tonight and WAS/MTL we almost know the matchups for the second round.

In the East it all depends on who wins the series. If Washington wins the take on the Flyers and Boston faces Pittsburgh. If Montreal wins then they face Pittsburgh and Boston and Philly face each other in the second. Interest note if Montreal does happen to win Game 7, then Pittsburgh will have been the only 'higher' seed to advance out of the first round in the East.

The West is known, San Jose faces the winner of PHX/DET and Chicago face Vancouver. It's also the opposite of the West where if Detroit wins tonight they will be the only 'lower' seed to advance in the West.

If Washington shits the bed on Wednesday, I can almost hear the calls for how bad the NHL playoffs are since their number one star is gone. No, its awesome, because any team can win now for the most part. I am just glad the Pens pulled that win out of their ass, I hate game 7s, too much drama. I still think Philly/Pens for the East and San Jose/Chicago. I am hoping for the Pa match-up since my friend can get me into a suite in Philly to watch the game.

Originally posted by lotjxIf Washington shits the bed on Wednesday, I can almost hear the calls for how bad the NHL playoffs are since their number one star is gone. No, its awesome, because any team can win now for the most part. I am just glad the Pens pulled that win out of their ass, I hate game 7s, too much drama. I still think Philly/Pens for the East and San Jose/Chicago. I am hoping for the Pa match-up since my friend can get me into a suite in Philly to watch the game.

Sidney Crosby, the man with a Stanley Cup and Gold Medal, is gone? News to me.

Penguins over the winner of PHX/DET in 6, it's just becoming even more obvious to me now.

Penguins just got an easier path to the finals than Duke did a month ago, not that the Capitals would have been much competition but at least they were a supposed threat. Unless some goaltender plays out of their mind the next few weeks, I think the East is wrapped up already.

I am hoping the Pens can figure out the Canadians' goalie or this is going to be a short series. Fluery is not a shutdown goalie, he lets a lot of easy goals go in. So, the Pens have to score and score often on the Canadians. Philly got the easy path as far as I am concerned.

Originally posted by lotjxI am hoping the Pens can figure out the Canadians' goalie or this is going to be a short series. Fluery is not a shutdown goalie, he lets a lot of easy goals go in. So, the Pens have to score and score often on the Canadians. Philly got the easy path as far as I am concerned.

Are you implying Montreal will roll over Pittsburgh? You're really confusing me in this topic, man.

Originally posted by Psycho PenguinPenguins just got an easier path to the finals than Duke did a month ago, not that the Capitals would have been much competition but at least they were a supposed threat.

No #8 seed has ever came back from a 3-1 deficit against a #1 seed. Ever.

Until this evening.

I do believe you're counting the eggs before they hatch, friend. Especially considering;

Originally posted by Psycho PenguinUnless some goaltender plays out of their mind the next few weeks, I think the East is wrapped up already.

40/41 saves in Game 7. 53/54 saves in Game 6 in a sublime performance. 37/38 saves in Game 5.

1 Power Play Goal in the entire series for the leading Power Play Team in the league. The team blocked more shots than any other team in the playoffs.

I found your goalie. Sadly for you, he's on my team.

You know, I really don't know what to put here. Close your eyes and thank of something funny!

Well I think only 1 #8 seed has ever made the finals, and that was 2006 Edmonton. Who did ride their amazing goalie to the finals, so I guess thats what Montreal will need to.

I said it was an easy path, a 8 seed is technically easy. Obviously the series isn't played on paper, but Montreal's goalie will need to play out of his mind against a team not known for folding in the playoffs now. That's the only real chance they have cos it does seem like a mismatch otherwise.

Originally posted by lotjxI am hoping the Pens can figure out the Canadians' goalie or this is going to be a short series. Fluery is not a shutdown goalie, he lets a lot of easy goals go in. So, the Pens have to score and score often on the Canadians. Philly got the easy path as far as I am concerned.

Originally posted by meI think the Caps, as constructed and coached, are poised to go on a Sharks- and Senators-like run of playoff disappointments

This is even better than I expected. Caps are a deeply flawed organization. Ovechkin has always shown up and scored well in every playoff series he's been so he's not the problem, but his disinterest in playing two-way hockey in playoff games when everything gets tighter sends the wrong message. Boudreau has no accountability and his coaching system consists entirely of praising his stars and complaining about penalties. Green might learn how to play defense under a real coach but for now he's a playoff gelding just like Semin. Boudreau and Semin must go. Hire Therrien, trade Semin, sign Volchenkov, learn how to play in the playoffs after failing to go less than 7 games in any series you've ever been in.

I agree, I am really wondering why the Sharks get so much mockery and jokes about their playoff collapses when the Capitalols are pretty much the same and actually have higher expectations since people still think Ovechkin is the best player in the NHL. (Kind of like calling Karl Malone the best NBA player of the 90s right now)

Originally posted by Psycho PenguinI agree, I am really wondering why the Sharks get so much mockery and jokes about their playoff collapses when the Capitalols are pretty much the same and actually have higher expectations since people still think Ovechkin is the best player in the NHL. (Kind of like calling Karl Malone the best NBA player of the 90s right now)

Because the Sharks have made the playoffs more than the Caps lately, this is only the third year for the Caps since getting Ovechkin, the first year the bounced in the first round and it was chalked up to being a 'playoff rookie' (see Coyotes this year.) Last year they met up with Pens in what many people called the 'real' conference final.

The Sharks made the Conference finals the year before the lockout, the only year they did so. Other than that they've not made it out of the second round, and usually (not always) losing to a lower seeded team.

I'm sure the talk is going to start now (or soon) about the Caps and Ovie choking in the playoffs.

I forgot to do this last round (and it would have probably been full of errors anyway!)... NHL.com's schedule didn't have the right time zonery - I've fixed it here - times are EASTERN! * (if necessary) (1) BUFFALO SABRES vs. (6)